I am trying to help a friend get an original sharps shooting. It is an original percusion gun converted to cart many years ago. It is in great mech shape barrel and action like new. It has anchors stamped all over it. He was told it was a 50/70. He shot some 50/70 shells out of it. Problem is the bullets tumble because the barrel measures over 50cal. It looks like new down the bore ,looks like it has 6 grooves? When they converted the old sharps did they leave the barrels as is. If so what bullets(lead) should it be loaded with and where can you get them. I load for my 45/110 but havent done any paper patch yet so am hoping not to go there yet.
Thanks
Dean

The gun needs to be slugged to see how big the bore is. WHat bullets has he shot? There are a lot of different sizes of 50 cal. I paper patch and I do think it would help. It won't hurt! Ron

I shoot a reproduction 50-70 myself. Nice find for your friend. Some of the originals weren't relined, and some were. Slug the bore first. Also, what weight bullet are you shooting? The original barrels had slow twist barrels and shot 400-450 grain bullets. The new rifles all have fast twist barrels for heavier bullets.

Depending on what your barrel slugs at, you MAY be able to shoot it with standard diameter bullets. If you cast them soft enough, they may bump up and seal the bore, depending on how much gap there is. You may also be able to paper patch the standard bullets up to bore diameter.

Post back with what you find, or PM me once you know the diameter it slugs to, and we may be able to offer better help.

It sluggs about .523. I also measured some once fired brass. The inside of the neck is just .522. I was thinking if I press anything any bigger in the case it might not chamber? I have a few .522 hollow base bullets coming to try. If they work I like to find some about the same size but a bit heavier.
Dean

What weight are the .522 hollow bases? They might shoot just fine as is. Where's your source for these bullets? How soft is the alloy? If they're soft, they should shoot ok...

I wouldn't go heavier than 450 gr in that original barrel, as I doubt the rifling is fast enough to stabilize anything heavier.

You could also try paper patching some .515 diameter bullets if the .522's don't work for you.

Jim
the bullets weigh 365grs they are supposed to be soft. I ordered them from Dixie gunworks.
I was thinking 400gr but these might be fine?
Dean

Sure, what the heck, try them out. Since they're hollow base, they're longer than their weight would be for a standard base bullet. They may have as much driving length as a 400 gr bullet anyway. Try em with a full case of FFg or Fg and see what happens. I use Goex Cartridge grade in mine.

If it shoots good, you may want to get a mold so you can cast your own and save money from ordering bullets mail order. Not exactly a cheap way to shoot em!

Slim
The rifle is a friends. Once we find what shoots in it he is gonna buy all the goodies to reload. Most likely Ill do the reloading but he will buy the goodies.
I shoot a 45/110 I dont cast yet but looks like I will have to start. The boy and I shoot cowboy action and I shoot alot of lead up now.
Thanks
Dean